Tensions in Turkey-Syria stand-off

4 October 2012 Last updated at 22:57 BST

The last two days have witnessed a dramatic escalation in the tensions between Turkey and Syria.

First, Turkey retaliated to the shelling of the border town of Akcakale by firing at targets inside Syria. And on Thursday, the Turkish parliament approved a motion allowing the government to take military action against Syria for the next year.

However, government sources stress that the motion is meant as "deterrence" against Damascus and that Turkey is not keen on a "unilateral military operation".

The BBC's Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen assesses the threat to security in the region.